Magic
Jamin
The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and crystal balls; are these one and the same? Are they completely different? If they’re different, where’s the line that separates ‘innocent magic’ from the point that is disturbing?
First, I believe it is important to define what magic is in context to writing. In a book, like The Lord of the Rings, magic is simply a way of expressing laws and authority in a make-believe world. “Other evils there are that may come; for Sauron is himself but a servant or emissary.” The Return of The King, p190. Gandalf said this when he was discussing Middle Earth’s arch enemy.
C.S Lewis, in The Chronicles of Narnia, also seems to understand magic as a natural thing that can be used or abused, under an authority. “I see what you are. You a little, peddling Magician who works by rules and books. There is no real Magic in your blood and heart.” Queen Jadis, The Magician’s Nephew, p83.
In these contexts, I believe that magic is positive reinforcement to the text. But not every writer puts magic in the same context. Magic takes its first step towards being immoral –or disturbing- when the story it is set in has no God-figure or sense of supreme existence. Magic, a person’s own resourcefulness or inner strengths, becomes the authority and supremely the god-figure of the make-believe world. Authority, in our world or in a fairy tale, turns corrupt when there is nothing to keep man and his corrupt nature in check.
Magic, whether good or bad, has the potential of radically affecting the text of a book. The way it is employed is only as good or bad as the theme of the work. Magic can be used to convey a worldview, add flash to the text with powerful characters, and make the reader more engrossed. After all, with magic anything is possible.
However, if a writer has no intention of conveying a worldview, he should abstain from magic, in my opinion. The only other time you can use magic without conveying a worldview is to spice up a book with action in a new dimension. This is an unsuitable use for magic, since when it is used in this way the writer has no imagination to convey except their version of what they’ve seen in the movie theaters.
In this context, magic is relied on too heavily to ‘spice up’ a document. Using magic too much in this sense is not immoral, but it enriches nothing and if it does convey a message, it usually conveys a bad one, such as “Believe in yourself.” Magic butchered in this way is like using a cocktail glass for changing oil in a car.
Magic is as good or bad as the theme of a work. It has the potential of enriching a document, or degrading it to the extent that it relies on action scenes. It’s important when evaluating a book in context to magic that we don’t become so engrossed in magic that we either overlook a Godly worldview, or see magic as the ultimate evil of the text. Magic is only a vehicle for the theme. You wouldn’t say a hammer was destructive if you knew it was being used to make a nuclear warhead.
*A project that Jamin's been working on in his spare time...defining for himself the proper use of magic in a work of fiction.
18 comments:
Excellent points.
Dorothy
good job, Jamin!
Dad
{De'Etta},
Thank you for sharing Jamin's work!
My GH and I were discussing this very topic this week.
Our 9 y/o picked up Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass at the Scholastic Fair and asked me to read it to him. Into the 1st chapter of this Sci-Fan I told him I'd like to read it alone first as I wasn't sure if it was appropriate for his age. I haven't been able to articulate to my GH my concerns, but your son wrote it succinctly in the paragraph beginning, "In these contexts..."
Thank you for giving me more to think about. Well written!
p.s.-If you are familiar w/this book, I would welcome exchanging e-mails about it. The most disturbing part to me was reading ch. 3 of Genesis re-written to fit the alternate universe view that fits the context of the novel. I'm out of my depth on the magic/spiritual context of this one!
Oh De'Etta,
The p.s. was meant for you, not Jamin.
Darshia,
I'm not familar with the book you mention. I thought Jamin had some good thoughts here.
Yes, I agree. Jamin has very good thoughts here.
The confusing, nebulous thoughts I've been trying to figure out re: magic/spirituality/fiction, Jamin has brought into focus and clearly written down.
I love how our Lord connects the dots and uses others to help guide the way. I have a direction to go now and more reading to do...
Thank you to both of you!
Darshia, you may wish to know that Pullman is a strident British atheist. He has called CS Lewis 'evil' in interviews.
He has written children's books (well, more for teens) in a self-stated attempt to 'knock christianity' out of them. He is trying to construct and promote an anti-christian worldview.
Just thought you might like to know where he is coming from.
Sorry, DeEtta, is this comment was not appropriate for your blog. I'm still figuring out what the etiquette is!
Dorothy
Dorothy,
Your comment is perfectly fine. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of the author/books with Darshia.
Darshia - Dorothy is from Great Britan so may have easier access to some of this info about the author.
OH - I was going to say I would have concerns about any book that rewrites sections of the Bible to fit a story line....you know I had trouble with Christian Fiction that does that. LOL I think you are doing well to listen to that "small still voice" - He'll never lead you wrong...and yes...it's amazing how he uses others to connect the dots for us.
De'Etta, Dorothy,
PTL and thank you!
The rewriting of Scripture really disturbed me since I recall Rev. says not to do that. Also, each character has a daemon = an attendant power or spirit. Just looked that up and it means demon. Ouch.
I will not be reading this to my son.
Now, to pray that our Lord will prepare his heart w/understanding...
Darshia, Here is a Christian Alternative, I'm 14 so You may need/want to pre-read these books.
G.P Taylor is a devoted Christian Writer who (suprise,surpise!) also British. but I really loved these books and thought they were scriptually sound. His books are Shadowmancer, Wormwood, and Tersias.
Bess,
Thank you. I appreciate your input and will check them out!
Jamin My Man: G'Pa and I are so proud of you and your thoughts. How exciting to see you writing like this. GOOD JOB!
Do you mind if I share this with some of my co-workers at school?
love/prayers
Sure, go ahead!
Jamin
Jamin: HI! Showed your writing to ALL my teacher friends (some in english and writing etc (generally liberal) and to ALL the others I work with. They all had good things to say. One could not believe you were just a 16 year old guy! Others said, "and your daughter homeschools this child too?" Generally speaking they all were impressed and hope to hear that you are a future writer etc. Only one super, super, super agnostic liberal co-worker (no teacher) took exception to the following words..... but it enriches nothing and if it does convey a message, it usually conveys a bad one, such as “Believe in yourself.” She just couldn't believe you were such a good writer if you had been taught that to "believe in yourself" was bad. HA! WOW! did she ever miss the point. I explained to her your point and that indeed you did and had been taught to "believe in yourself" in respect to what God was doing in your life and wanted to do in your life. HA! HA! You should have seen her face when I mentioned God. Anyway you are doing real good and we will keep on praying for you as you work towards your goal.
Love/Prayers
Um....Mom...please share with your teacher friend if SHE brings it up that my motto with the children is "It's your dream, make it as big as you want" and "chase the dream". My children do believe in and have confidence in what God is doing and will accomplish in their lives. This was good for Jamin to hear....because audience is everything...other Christians, for the most part, would understand why he said that was "bad" but secular readers may well reach the conclusion your friend did.
Jamin was reacting to many things he's heard lately telling folks if they just believe in themselves enough they can do or be anything....and life will be good....problem is in myself I am nothing...it's God working through me that allows me to do much of anything...I don't need confidence in myself...I need more confidence in God and His transforming power.
Sis: Actually everyone but this one ding-dong was very impressed. They made comments on what a good teacher you must be and etc.
We are proud of you and definitely proud of the kids.
As a parent and grandparent we are more than happy to PTL for the great things happening in our kids and G'Kids lives. What more can a person want than to see their offsprings (kids and G'kids) living to please God etc.
PTL the girls made it home. Anxious to hear all about their adventures.
Got a phone call from Emelia Lumbard tonight. Only saw/talked to her once since EBC days. Our first year at BSC we went as a team through out Eastern Washington and Idaho on VBS.. We had a fun time remembering it all.
Goodness, heaven is going to be so wonderful...... after just being with God/Jesus, worshiping all you want, etc, just think what it will be like to see loved ones and various people you have known througout your life. WOW!
love/Prayers
WONDERFUL points, Jamin. Very well thought out.
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